Free Fashion Advice Merges with Eco-Fashionista

You may or may not know that I also maintain another blog called Eco-Fashionista. If you haven't checked it out yet, head on over and bookmark it because from now on all my Free Fashion Advice postings will be showing up there.  I'm hoping to make it a little easier on me so I only have to post in one place. Also, this way Eco-Fashionista will have more of the interesting, and often times snarky, content that you love here.

Eco-Fashionista provides tips on how to look amazing while wearing environmentally friendly fashion. You will also get some lifestyle product tips, ideas on recycling vintage clothes, eco-friendly online and brick and mortar shops, and any  other ramblings I think the green chic crowd needs to know.

I hope you like it over there, they do say the grass is greener on the other side for a reason! I'm sorry for that, I promise not to be so corny!

Please, come back!

These two ladies walked right past my table. I tried to get their attention, but they must have missed my giant Free Fashion Advice sign.  So, ladies, I hope you find this post! First up is the outfit on the left. Please do not wear a knee length dress over capri pants and paired with tennis shoes. Why would you do that? Can you see how short and stubby it makes you look? That dress is a perfectly reasonable length to wear on its own. There are also way to many straps going on up top. This would be better with a sleeveless tank top that has more coverage in the back. And finally, if comfort is what you are looking for there are plenty of comfy ballet flats out there that you can walk around in. With the style and pattern of this dress, I think an espadrille style flat would be particularly fetching.

Next up is the lady on the right. I'm not sure if "lady" is the correct word because it appears she is wearing boxer shorts. Can you see how horrible that looks? I don't care where you are headed to, this is not a good option. A vast improvement would be to swap those out for a denim skirt. Still casual, but a heavy enough material and hopefully with a little bit of structure, it will give your behind a much more flattering view. MUCH more flattering! I can't look at this picture anymore, its making me sad that they didn't stop for advice in the first place...

Red, White and Black

My next victim of the day came up to the table wondering what in the world I would have to say about her outfit. I really surprised her when I said I liked it. We got to chatting and I found out she had made the skirt herself and the headpiece was also handmade. The only comments I really had were about her choker and lack of nail polish. With such a stylized outfit I think the details are really important. She should have painted her nails (hands and feet, please) either bright candy apple red to match the ruffle on the skirt, or a very shiny black. With black and read polish it is important that it is neat and has a fresh topcoat to keep you looking polished (no pun intended, well maybe just a little).  The other issue I had was the choker. Usually I hate them, but with the bustier and Victorian edge to the outfit, I thought it worked. This is one of very, very few cases in which I would say that. So, please do not let me spot you wearing one tomorrow.

I didn't notice this yesterday, but in the photo the purse really does cut this outfit up. In person, I thought her bag was awesome, it was shaped like an electric guitar, hence the wide woven strap. In hindsight, I would recommend it get swapped out for a clutch.


Here is a close-up of the handmade hat - love the skull! It takes guts to wear an outfit like this and I think we need more people taking chances with their clothes in this city.

Molly

Molly was one of the first people to approach the Free Fashion Advice table. As you can see from her shopping bag, she had just stopped into Jupe Boutique. I didn't make her show me what she purchased because she had some great questions already for the fashion experts. 

Question Number 1: She admits to having champagne taste on a beer budget (make that PBR). Where or where is a fashionista to find fab things on such a budget? Of course, I had to plug my ladies at Jupe, it is one of the best places to find cute and trendy pieces are great prices. But, if labels are what you are in search of I recommended Molly check out some of our great consignment stores in Pittsburgh. I once bought an Alaia dress at Designer Days Boutique on Ellsworth Ave for $45! Yes, you ready that correctly, $45! Another great consignment stop is Ambiance Boutique, the Regent Square location is my favorite.

Question Number 2: How can you inject some steampunk style into your everyday wardrobe? This is a great question, I love steampunk style but usually do not incorporate any of it into my own outfits. I recommended Molly pick up a black leather vest and a cameo pin to get some Victorian Era edge and also some of the grundy-ness of steampunk. To pull it off best, try a high neck blouse, pin the cameo brooch at the neck, leather vest on top. Tone things down with dark skinny jeans, and finish with some interesting shoes such as lace up booties that will bring a little more Victoriana into the picture.

Molly's prescription:

Free Fashion Advice Debut with Jupe Boutique & Althea Harper

This Monday, June 21^st will be the Summer 2010 debut of Free Fashion advice in Pittsburgh. I am really looking forward to this advice session because it will occur along side an exclusive truck show at Jupe Boutique, one of my favorite Pittsburgh stores. The trunk show will feature Project Runway Season Six Finalist Althea Harper who will showcase her latest collection of fabulous, feminine frocks. Since I occasionally mix business with pleasure, I am hoping the Mesh Body Tea Length Dress at left will be part of the trunk show. It is so fabulously Margiela-esque with a body suit underneath the sheer mesh panels of the dress. Yummy!!

Jupe Boutique is making a party out of the whole evening and will be giving gift bags to the first 20 shoppers in the door, not to mention free champagne and chocolates for all! Add 15% off all regular Jupe merchandise and it sounds like my kind of party!

Free Fashion Advice will be there from 5pm – 8pm to help shoppers decide what to get (just get it all, I like to say!) and hopefully share some of Althea’s personal fashion advice. Check back next week for photos, and perhaps some video, of the shopping and style conquests.


See the flyer for the event here. And don't forget to follow me on Twitter for live updates!

Grammy Awards Fashion Coverage: Mary J Blige

Mary J, you can do no wrong. I adore this color, the cut is fabulous, and everything is just tight enough but still pools at the bottom. The earrings I don't think are quite right but the bracelet and bag really work. I also actually really like the hair too - it makes this look a little more rocker and more appropriate for the Grammy's, it throws everything off just enough and adds the cool factor.

Mary's dress reminds me a little bit of this stunning look Jessica Biel wore last year. I think Mary's is winning out though, the unexpected finishes with the hair and big black bag throw it over the edge for me.

Grammy Awards Fashion Coverage: Katy Perry

I'm not going to talk about how this looks like some old synchronized swimmer's olympic bathing cap that was attacked by a bedazzler. No, that would not be nice. I will just let this dress speak for itself.

All jokes aside, Katy, you need to fire your hair dresser ASAP.

Grammy Awards Fashion Coverage: Fergie

Fergie Ferg, I know a lot of people are liking this (Pucci by the way), but I'm a little on the wall. I love the suede - perfect for the Grammy's, and her hair actually looks good here and not too tan either (thank you for restraining!). But something about it looks like the was a limited amount of fabric left to work with, like this was the very last piece of gold lame in the whole Pucci factory (and we know that is not true, did you see Heidi Klum's dress?). But for Fergie Fergs, I know this is toned down, and she has managed to look pretty and edgy at the same time. About 1 million perfect better than that lavender bridesmaid dress from the SAG awards, uhg!

This is Heidi's Pucci tonight. This isn't the Golden Globes Klum - we know you just had a baby and your boobs are huge, but seriously?

Grammy Awards Fashion Coverage: Taylor Swift

Taylor - I love you! You always look so fabulous at every awards show. The back of this dress was spectacular too - completely bare save for a criss-cross strap at the very top. The hair is great, earrings are perfect, and the pose is divine.

Update: I'm watching Taylor's performance right now and a little confusing why she put on some woman from Ohio's tunic and leggings. What happened?

Grammy Awards Fashion Coverage: Adam Lamert

I was never an American Idol watcher, so I was taken a little off guard when this popped up all over the place:

We get it --- you are unique! But must you wear 3-inch heals and a jacket that is way too small? Dear readers, remember fashion rule number one: Wear clothes that fit! Adam, you sleeves are too short and something about the proportion of the hem of your jacket is just making me crazy. Talk amongst yourselves on this tie, I just can't handle it.

Grammy Awards Fashion Coverage

OK --- My plan was to do this live, but that just didn't work out. Where was a personal assistant when I needed one?!

I'm tuning into the Grammy's now and just checked out some red carpet coverage on New York Magazine's site. It is absolutely necessary to give up some free fashion advice - there are some amazing looks, and there are of course some amazingly awful looks (J. Lo anoyone?).

To start we have to look at Lady Gaga:

Apparently this is Armani - must be a one-off though. It certainly captures Gaga's look, but I wish she had done better with the hair and makeup. She needs way more glitter on the face, and hair that is not the color of French Vanilla ice cream.

Also, these shoes make her feet look like Miss Piggy's. Actually, the whole look is a little Miss Piggy when you squint your eyes.

Makes Me Feel All Warm & Cuddly

I recently found out that FreeFashionAdvice has been recognized on a list of the "Top 101 Fashion Blogs."  Not only was I surprised, but when I checked out the list I am right up there with some of my favorites like Who What Wear and Go Fug Yourself. The best part about looking through this list is some of the names of the blogs, these are a few of my favorites:

Spork Fashion - from what I can tell has nothing to do with cutlery.

Lipstick is My Crack - text heavy blog, but hands down best name.

Chic Inspector - this might be my new job title - fabulous!

To see the full list, go here. This site also features tons of great info on fashion design schools, if you're interested.

Unsolicited Advice

When it comes to fashion, sometimes people need a little unsolicited advice.

Take for example, this outfit from a recent Saturday night at a very packed Shadyside bar.  White leggings are a big fat "no-no", ladies. The are not flattering, even when paired with a zebra print top that clings to your widest part and balloons around your middle... sounds so appealing when you put it that way, huh?  

I have no idea what this girl was thinking, but I shouldn't judge. Maybe she doesn't own a mirror, or has no electricity at home. She might be wearing this on a dare... it's hard to say.

Oh, and I almost forgot the white wedge flip flops... do I need to tell you why they are wrong? Don't get me wrong, they could be borderline acceptable in summer with pants, but it was in the 30's that night.  My number 1 fashion don't is dressing in something completely inappropriate, and white flip flops when it is cold enough to snow... thats just wrong.

Liv, Annie, Bella, Sammi

These four young girls were an absolute fashion DO!  First of all they all were having a blast shopping together (being happy is a huge key to looking great), and then of course all their outfits rocked.

Liv, Annie, and Sammi all went for flared out mini-dresses is eye-catching patterns. Mix in some vintage looking belts, bags, and sunglasses and you have perfectly age-appropriate and trendy looks.

Bella (2nd from right) also worked out another trend, the boyfriend jean. She made these baggy and holey of-the-moment jeans work by pairing them with a bright yellow shoe and extra long zebra print tank. The cross body bag goes perfectly with the relaxed vibe of the pants. A handbag would have been too ladylike with this.

Tori

So, I might be biased in my reasons for loving Tori's outfit last Saturday - we do share the same name and had on matching hand-me-down bracelets - but there are some great points about her shorts and tank outfit.

Most importantly, there is no bra strap exposure or show-thru with her white tank. I am always seeing cute outfits on cute girls, then see a bright green bra being worn with a strapless blue dress (yes, someone was wearing that the other night. I had to control myself not to say something!).  Another great thing about this outfit is the simple top put with the bright geometric floral patterned shorts. If you have one heavily patterned item on, it is usually best to keep everything else simple.

Capped off with white rimmed Ray Bans - too cute!

Fashion Don't

This was some of the worst footwear I saw all weekend. Sorry I didn't get a better picture (well not really, I can't bear to look at them anymore). But why would someone do this to their poor shoes, what did they ever do to you?

The backs are folded down, the laces are half undone, and her feet are falling out! They look like they were found in the garbage, and I think they should be put back there!

Bobbie

I nominate Bobbie for "best dressed" on Friday.  With a foundation of dark skinny jeans and a white tank, she added a classic wear-anywhere blazer, black patent pumps, a statement bag, and pearls (OK, the pearls happen to be Chanel which are fab, but you could do this look with almost any long pearl or chain necklace).  Slightly disheveled hair and natural makeup relax the look overall.

Some people asked me how many accessories you can wear at once (on Saturday I had on dangly earrings, a long necklace and 2 bracelets), and Bobbie is a great example of how to do the right mix of jewelry - big gold watch on one wrist, big gold cuff on the other, and her pearls.  Like in many other aspects of design, working in threes and fives is usually best.

Ian

Ian just bought these pants at Banana Republic and came up to us asking what he could wear them with for a wedding he is going to soon. He has a navy blazer at home, a gray or navy tie, and a white or blue shirt. After some debating, we all settled on the white shirt and navy tie - with this combo brown shoes and belt are the way to go.

For special occasions (or just life in general) always make sure that your clothes are pressed and clean and your shoes aren't scuffed up.

Martha

We loved Martha's fresh take on the plaid shirt trend (so much better than the black with pink buffalo plaids we saw on some fashion don'ts!).  She bought her scarf on a recent trip to Scotland where she pointed out that everything is at least a year ahead of Pittsburgh.  I would have to agree that we are behind on the times, but that gives us all the opportunity to create the trends here.

The brown sandals give her a summer look, but this outfit could easily go into fall with boots.

Is someone trying to tell me something?

This was the fortune I got with my Chinese food today... Best fortune ever!  How ironic that this is what I got the day I'm mouthing off to everyone. It didn't stop me though.

Fashion Don't

These purple Ed Hardy Uggs (ew, I don't even like saying it!) were by far the worst thing on the street today. Thank goodness nobody was wearing them or I probably would have ripped them off their feet. 

Somethings end up on the sale rack for a reason people - do not buy these!

Brian

Another friend of ours, Brian, stopped by to hang out and give some of his own advice. He showed up dressed to impress in super hot new Nikes that had silver swooshes that matched the silver stripes in his belt.

Paul

Our friend Paul stopped by - looking great as usual. Scored some pants at the sale.

 

Anonymous

This guy came up to us to offer his own fashion advice --- which turned out to be more philosophical advice. Great message though, and completely one that Katherine and I tried to spread all day. Individual style and expressing who you are and what is important to you is always a better statement than having the latest "it" bag (next year it will look so 2009 anyhow!)

In the meantime, loved this guy's hat, sunglasses and boots!

Sarah

The big advice we had for Sarah that you can't see in this photo is about her nail polish. It was all chipped off!  When your nail polish starts coming off, just remove all of it. Chipped off polish makes your nails and fingers look shorter and your whole appearance a little sloppier.

Otherwise, great use of a skinny jean!

Gene

Gene was one of my first "customers" on Friday.  He wanted some tips on how to dress casually and what you can and can't wear with polo shirts and cargo shorts.

Polo shirts are generally a casual look, but can be worn with almost any pants. A khaki pant with a belt and the shirt tucked in will give you a more presentable look.  For cargo shorts, I think you can wear pretty much any casual top (while its trendy right now for girls to wearbaggy jeans with blazers, this is not a good look for guys.) If you are wearing something tailored on top, like a blazer, wear something that fits just as well on the bottom. This can be jeans, as long as they fit well and aren't too destroyed looking.

By the way, I loved Gene's haircut!

Another Guest Fashionista

Looks like we will have triple the fashion power this weekend with the addition of one of my favorite Pittsburgh Fashionistas, Katherine Harrell. 

Katherine has been designing her own line of handbags, K. Lianna, since college and is always creating new and fabulous accessories every time I see her! She is also active in the local non-profit world, showing that helping make our community a better place is a definite fashion do!

Katherine will be at the Free Fashion Advice table tomorrow (Friday) from about 11:30-1:30.

Double the Fashion Know-How

If you still aren't convinced that one Pittsburgh Fashionista can help your style, how about two? 

On Saturday from around 2:30-4:30, guest advisor Sarah Sudar of the Looking Sharp blog will be offering up her two-cents at the Free Fashion Advice table.

Sarah started her style blog about a year and a half ago, inspired by a horrific fashion faux pas she witnessed on the bus (don't get me started on that!). Ever since then she has been writing about Pittsburgh, our style scene, and must have fashion items.

Don't miss your chance to hear our fashion commentary this weekend - see you there!

Free Fashion Advice Debut

Tori Mistick will be in on Walnut Street in Shadyside this Friday July 31st and Saturday August 1st giving out free fashion advice. This will be the debut of Tori's recession-friendly wardrobe consulting, scheduled to coincide with the Shadyside Sidewalk Sale.

Come with all your burning sartorial questions, and Tori will gladly lend her style expertise. 

Not sure if those capris really work for you? They probably don't.  Wondering what shoes will go with that fabulous skirt you just got at Choices for 75% off? Try a platform to balance out the volume.

Look for Tori at her "Free Fashion Advice" table on Walnut Street near the corner of Bellefonte Street, Friday and Saturday from 10am - 5:30pm.